This is a fun 100 mile ride in the Lakewood District of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in NE WI. It takes in some points of interest in the area, runs some great paved and gravel roads, and has a little two-track and ATV trail on it. It is suitable for large adventure bikes.

I have lived in the area for 20+ years and it is a nice ride and some of these trails are part of my regular routes. The eastern side of hwy 32 is generally more "muddy" than the western side. So if we are getting a lot of rain (2016 was really rainy) then you will run into more chances for mud. There are a TON of awesome off trail routes off of this loop and there is so much to explore just in this little area. Of course in dry times some of the side roads are either 100% sand or a mix of sand and limestone. For me on an F800GS that means avoid the sand (usually forest fire roads) and stick to the routes that are muddy. Some of these routes have holes that get really deep too so, honestly, local knowledge is key in this area. Some of the Nicolet forest routes are closed and gated and some have been renamed or even moved (do not trust your Nicolet forest map from the USGS around here; very dated info). Certain times of year I run some of these routes ONLY in my Tacoma due to the amount of deep holes there are and keep the F800GS on the tarmac instead. I've been meaning to put together a big map sometime of all the hidden routes around here. You could spend an entire summer here and not ride every nook and cranny we've been running for years out here.

In regard to the question on riding two up this route is just fine for that. I take the GF on most of these trails a few times a year. If you want to explore off this route just be wary of the weather. If it hasn't rained in a while you are generally good but if it's really dry the forest roads get really sandy. We have a lot of ATV trails here so they are shared and beat up by ATVs and such which makes that dry sand in some areas deep.

I have lived in the area for 20+ years and it is a nice ride and some of these trails are part of my regular routes. The eastern side of hwy 32 is generally more "muddy" than the western side. So if we are getting a lot of rain (2016 was really rainy) then you will run into more chances for mud. There are a TON of awesome off trail routes off of this loop and there is so much to explore just in this little area. Of course in dry times some of the side roads are either 100% sand or a mix of sand and limestone. For me on an F800GS that means avoid the sand (usually forest fire roads) and stick to the routes that are muddy. Some of these routes have holes that get really deep too so, honestly, local knowledge is key in this area. Some of the Nicolet forest routes are closed and gated and some have been renamed or even moved (do not trust your Nicolet forest map from the USGS around here; very dated info). Certain times of year I run some of these routes ONLY in my Tacoma due to the amount of deep holes there are and keep the F800GS on the tarmac instead. I've been meaning to put together a big map sometime of all the hidden routes around here. You could spend an entire summer here and not ride every nook and cranny we've been running for years out here.

In regard to the question on riding two up this route is just fine for that. I take the GF on most of these trails a few times a year. If you want to explore off this route just be wary of the weather. If it hasn't rained in a while you are generally good but if it's really dry the forest roads get really sandy. We have a lot of ATV trails here so they are shared and beat up by ATVs and such which makes that dry sand in some areas deep.

-motoxpd

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Hey there, Motoxpd....been looking through DNR regs and just trying to understand....ATVs and OHMs do not mix, is that right? Off Highway Motorcycles on their own trails or tarmac if Dual Sport and ATVs on ATV trails only? Can't ride Motorcycles and ATVs together on same route/trails?

Thanks Cannonshot, for your reply and your Service. A buddy of mine and I hunt deer in the Mountain/Lakewood area and it is looking to become a year round recreation area....he has mentioned ATVs for he and his son and I more prefer the single track two wheel types. I'd hate to not be able to ride along with them. Seems arbitrary to me to not allow both Off-Road Vehicle types on the same trail.

Thanks Cannonshot, for your reply and your Service. A buddy of mine and I hunt deer in the Mountain/Lakewood area and it is looking to become a year round recreation area....he has mentioned ATVs for he and his son and I more prefer the single track two wheel types. I'd hate to not be able to ride along with them. Seems arbitrary to me to not allow both Off-Road Vehicle types on the same trail.

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It isn't arbitrary really. It has to do with generating funds to sustain the trail.

Yeah, nothing is free so we have to figure out how to pay for some of our pleasure.

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NO doubt....and I am all in to pay for the registration, join AMA and area clubs like Dusty Trails or Crooked Lake Clubs to chip in and maintain these trails. I cannot find a reason as to why Oconto County would prohibit OHMs from riding on ATV trails....more users more money and one less track tearing up the trail.

I am a total noob to Adventure Riding; I don't even own one as yet. I just would hate for the dream to die because of regulations. We could look elsewhere, other counties, etc. but we have spent a bit of time in Mountain/Lakewood and love the place.